Zimbabwe’s military seizes power, takes over national broadcaster

Zimbabwe's military says it has seized power in an assault on “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe, who “were committing crimes that [were] causing social and economic suffering in the country,” in a statement after taking over the national broadcaster ZBC. A military spokesman assured that Mugabe and his family were “safe and sound.” “As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy,” the spokesman said. Soldiers and armored vehicles blocked roads to the government offices, parliament and the courts in Zimbabwe capital, Harare, a Reuters witness said. The events come amid growing speculation of a possible military coup in Zimbabwe after Mugabe fired Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing him of plotting to take power. Mnangagwa, who had the support of the military, then left the country.